Gender and Ethnicity in Transition to Adulthood

Gender and Ethnicity in Transition to Adulthood 1
Gender and Ethnicity in Transition to Adulthood
Student's Name:
Instructor's Name:
Date:
Gender and ethnicity in transition to adulthood

Gender and Ethnicity in Transition to Adulthood 2
Adolescence and transition into adulthood is one of the most crucial turning points in an individual’s life
[1]. However, the transition is also the most tempestuous if not trying in the life of a young person [1]. A
young adult often grapples with the primary need of establishment and the need to get ingrained into a
society and its parameters [1]. Coleman, in his work, “The adolescent society” examines the various
societal aspects of adolescence – which is the milepost of transition into adulthood for any individual
[2]. Coleman’s work has initiated an extensive research in the American society and later in the world
surrounding the issues that are of significance to the transition to adulthood [2]. Of the common aspects
that affect the transitory period, gender and ethnicity of the individual play a crucial role in shaping the
societal identity of a young adult [1, 2]. The Presidential Panel on Youth and the Wisconsin study that
provided the model of “status attainment” are regarded salient studies in this area of research [1, 2].
The findings of this study indicated that the attainment of education, occupation, and livelihood in terms
of employment or earnings were largely determined by the social, psychological, and institutional
factors that operate predominantly in the transition period of adulthood [2]. The socioeconomic origins
of individuals reflect directly on the attainment of social status [1, 2]. The transition of young individuals
into adulthood is perceived as a process that involves fragmentation, incalculable, arbitrary, and often
prolonged [3, 2]. The process is different for each individual and involves an enormous number of
societal situations that shape the process into an experience [3]. Most young adults face several
difficulties during the transitioning into adulthood [3]. Even in the same country, different individuals
have varied experiences during the transition into adult life [3]. The situations that determine the
transition and the quality of life are mostly societal [3]. Personal parameters such as gender and
ethnicity are important determiners of the early adult life as an experience [2, 3]. There are a plethora of
such factors that make the experience different for each person. Gender, race, ethnicity, and class are
regarded the primary factors in this transition [3]. They are known to be influential mediators of early
adult life [3].

Gender and Ethnicity in Transition to Adulthood 3
An illustration of this is the reflection of the society in the Western world [3, 4]. Most Western countries
which endorse democracy also largely promote women’s rights [3]. The movement of Women’s rights
and equality are concepts that entered the culture much early in the West [3]. The afore-mentioned
women’s social movement questioned the intrinsic right of men to hold powerful positions in public
domains [3]. The inbred beliefs of gender discrimination and the traditional concepts of masculinity and
femininity were reformed for the better by these social movements of awareness that gave the
opportunity for women to establish themselves in significant positions in the private sector [3, 4].The
new age society has additionally provided the choice of labour to women where they choose to contend
their social and economic rights along with complete political power in the society [3]. Women, in the
current times, may seek impetus for possessing a family, a career, or educational qualification [3].
Women additionally have the privilege to set priorities among each of these according to their perceived
order of precedence [3]. Arnot, in his work in 2009, has observed that the identities of gender are
actually currently perceived as individualistic manifestations of the social construction in terms of
culture and history [3, 4]. It is an established truth that education and qualification are the essential
aspects of one’s social identity [3]. For an effective transition into adulthood, it is essential for young
people to realise the importance of education [3, 4]. Qualifications and credentials ease the process of
transition into adulthood by providing an inherent sense of achievement and credibility to obtain
financial and social foothold in the world [3]. It allows the individual to provide useful services to the
nation and makes them important in the social makeup [3]. Education inherently empowers a young
person to enter adulthood with confidence and a sense of usefulness [3]. The contribution that a young
adult makes to a country’s economic and political scenario is of much significance [3, 4]. The concept of
gender is typically ingrained into the educational setup and the public discourse as a primary
consideration in behaviour management [3, 4]. Girl pupils are regarded a non-consideration for
behavioural challenges and are perceived as being “unproblematic” [3, 4]. Such a gender bias that exists